RMWB One Step Closer to Becoming Age Friendly Community

More and more seniors are calling Fort McMurray their forever home and the municipality is working on improving their lifestyles.

Earlier this week, designated parking signs for seniors were installed at various facilities and parks around the RMWB. The Advisory Committee on Aging is calling this a concrete step towards becoming an age-friendly community.

“What we’re really hoping to do is educate people of our community on the needs of seniors, as you age – parking can become a challenge and access to different community buildings can be become a challenge,” said Pam Burns, committee member.

In 2016, Fort McMurray was accepted into the World Health Organization. Though the community is within the organization, they are still working on getting the title of an age-friendly community.

The WHO highlights 8 domains cities and communities need to focus on to improve the lives of seniors including housing, social participation, social inclusion, and respect.

Back in June, the AGOC held a survey where they asked the public what areas they need to work on and how far they believed Fort McMurray is in becoming a recognized place for seniors to live.

Committee Chair Linda Mywaart tells Mix News the results of the survey are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

“It will highlight things that are currently being done because there are many things already available for seniors and it will expose the areas where we could be doing more.”

Mywaart notes there is no timeline for when or if the community would receive the age-friendly designation but adds they will need to re-apply next spring.

Anyone looking for more information about the designated parking spots can go to rmwb.ca.

You can listen to Mywaart and Burns interview this Thursday on Fort McMurray Matters.